History

The old Mennonite church that houses 't Ponkje was built in the late 18th century. This church is a so-called conventicle, or "vermaning". The followers of Menno Simons (1496-1561) sold the building in 1969 and after which it was converted into this cosy restaurant.

It Ponkje is a Frisian word and means 'offertory bag'. The church's interior, such as the pews for the churchgoers and the church council members, the gallery, the organ gallery, the pulpit sounding board and the offertory bags, was left unaltered as far as that was possible.

Once a year, on the first Advent Day, the Mennonite congregation from the south- western part of Friesland gathers in 't Ponkje for a traditional church service.